Staff Machine Learning and Bioinformatics Scientist

LOCATION: Position is available as a hybrid position in San Carlos, Bay Area, California as well as a remote position (within US).

Natera is seeking a highly skilled and innovative Lead/Staff Machine Learning and Bioinformatics Scientist to join our Bioinformatics Research Team focused on Epigenomics in Oncology. The successful candidate will be instrumental in implementing and expanding state-of-the-art machine learning methods to enhance our product portfolio in oncology.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and validate cutting-edge machine learning methods to solve problems in diagnostics

• Contribute to model interpretability, uncertainty estimation, and reproducibility best practices

• Design robust feature engineering and extraction pipelines tailored to biological data 

• Prototype and productionize models using scalable ML infrastructure tools such as MLflow, Airflow, and Docker

• Collaborate closely with molecular biologists on experimental design and quality control

• Champion a culture of innovation, collaboration, and scientific excellence

• Actively participate in code and design reviews

QUALIFICATIONS

• PhD in Computer Science, Statistics, Bioinformatics, or a related quantitative field with 6-12 years of experience post-PhD. 

• Demonstrated experience in developing core ML models, including generalized linear models, kernel methods, tree-based algorithms, and neural networks, with a focus on biological data (e.g., DNA sequencing data)

• Profound understanding of deep learning models, large language models (LLMs), and multimodal foundation models

• Proficient in Python and its scientific computing ecosystem (e.g., NumPy, Pandas, Scikit-learn)

• Experience with ML frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or JAX; familiarity with LLM-specific tools like LangChain; and model deployment via platforms like HuggingFace

• Excellent cross-functional communication skills

• A strong eagerness to both teach and learn about new machine learning methods and biology concepts

The pay range is listed and actual compensation packages are based on a wide array of factors unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, years & depth of experience, certifications and specific office location. This may differ in other locations due to cost of labor considerations.

San Carlos, CA

$192,600 - $240,750 USD

OUR OPPORTUNITY

Natera™ is a global leader in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing, dedicated to oncology, women’s health, and organ health. Our aim is to make personalized genetic testing and diagnostics part of the standard of care to protect health and enable earlier and more targeted interventions that lead to longer, healthier lives.

The Natera team consists of highly dedicated statisticians, geneticists, doctors, laboratory scientists, business professionals, software engineers and many other professionals from world-class institutions, who care deeply for our work and each other. When you join Natera, you’ll work hard and grow quickly. Working alongside the elite of the industry, you’ll be stretched and challenged, and take pride in being part of a company that is changing the landscape of genetic disease management.

WHAT WE OFFER

Competitive Benefits - Employee benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life and disability plans for eligible employees and their dependents. Additionally, Natera employees and their immediate families receive free testing in addition to fertility care benefits. Other benefits include pregnancy and baby bonding leave, 401k benefits, commuter benefits and much more. We also offer a generous employee referral program!

For more information, visit www.natera.com.

Natera is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace environment, and welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives. Inclusive collaboration benefits our employees, our community and our patients, and is critical to our mission of changing the management of disease worldwide.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, and will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with applicable laws.

If you are based in California, we encourage you to read this important information for California residents. 

Link: https://www.natera.com/notice-of-data-collection-california-residents/

Please be advised that Natera will reach out to candidates with a @natera.com email domain ONLY. Email communications from all other domain names are not from Natera or its employees and are fraudulent. Natera does not request interviews via text messages and does not ask for personal information until a candidate has engaged with the company and has spoken to a recruiter and the hiring team. Natera takes cyber crimes seriously, and will collaborate with law enforcement authorities to prosecute any related cyber crimes.

For more information:- BBB announcement on job scams - FBI Cyber Crime resource page